Viewer interest in Day 2 of the 2024 Republican National Convention dipped compared to Day 1. All of the news networks saw lower viewership numbers with 14.81 million viewers—down from 18.1 million for the opening day—tuning in across 11 outlets, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.
The lack of major star power speeches from within the GOP ranks likely contributed to the drop in viewership. Speakers on Tuesday included Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Housing & Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump.
Fox News repeated as the most-watched network, averaging 5.357 million total viewers and 830,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo viewers during the primetime window of 8-11 p.m. ET. Compared to Monday night, Fox News was down -13% in total viewers and -19% in the demo.
CNN overtook MSNBC to land in second place in total primetime viewers and held onto its No. 2 position in the demo with 896,000 viewers. It was down in both measured categories by a respective -13% and -25% compared to Day 1.
MSNBC finished third in both total viewers and the demo with a respective 804,000 viewers and 98,000 viewers. That translates into sharp day-to-day drops of -44% and -46%, respectively.
FNC was also the most-watched network during the 10 to 11:30 p.m. block with 5.311 million total viewers and 947,000 A25-54 viewers, topping both the cable and broadcast networks. Compared to Day 1, though, the network was down -23% in both measured categories for that period.
Looking back at the same time period during the 2020 RNC, the network was down by -33% in total viewers and -42% in the demo.
CNN took second place among cable networks from 10-11:30 p.m., with 968,000 total viewers and 286,000 demo viewers. That translates to respective declines of -13% and -30% compared to Day 1 and -54% and -53% versus 2020.
MSNBC saw 798,000 total viewers and 103,000 A25-54 viewers for that time period. Compared to Day 1, the network was down by -37% in the former category and -42% in the latter. From 2020 to 2024, it sharply declined by -57% in total viewers and -74% in the demo.
On the broadcast side, NBC News emerged as the most-watched broadcast network in both measured categories during the 10-11:30 p.m. block, pulling in 2.290 total viewers and 439,000 demo viewers. It was the only broadcast or cable network to post day-to-day gains in the total viewer category, rising by +2%. However, NBC did see a decline of -25% in the demo. Looking back at 2020, it fell by -8% among total viewers, but ticked up to +21% among A25-54 viewers—the only network to see gains in that category.
ABC News finished second with 2.078 million total viewers and 426,000 demo viewers in that time period. Compared to Day 1, it was down by -9% and -25%, respectively. Placed alongside its 2020 performance, ABC News declined by -1% in total viewers and -24% in the demo.
CBS News took third place among the broadcasters, registering 1.606 million total viewers and 303,000 demo viewers from 10-11:30 p.m. The network say a day-to-day decrease of -12% and -22%, respectively. Compared to 2020, though, CBS News was the only network to achieve gains in the total viewer category, climbing by +6%. But it did experience a significant fall of -56% in the demo.
The full ratings breakdown from day two of the 2024 RNC is below. (All times ET)
Tuesday, July 16
8-11 p.m.
FNC — 5,357,000 total viewers; 830,000 A25-54
CNN — 896,000 total viewers; 258,000 A25-54
MSNBC — 804,000 total viewers; 98,000 A25-54
3 p.m. – 3 a.m.
FNC — 2,537,000 total viewers; 365,000 A25-54
CNN — 444,000 total viewers; 103,000 A25-54
MSNBC — 594,000 total viewers; 60,000 A25-54
9-10 p.m.
FNC — 5,331,000 total viewers; 797,000 A25-54
CNN — 963,000 total viewers; 272,000 A25-54
MSNBC — 845,000 total viewers; 95,000 A25-54
10-11:30 p.m.
FNC — 5,150,000 total viewers; 899,000 A25-54
CNN — 934,000 total viewers; 272,000 A25-54
MSNBC — 758,000 total viewers; 88,000 A25-54
ABC — 2,013,000 total viewers, 394,000 A25-54
CBS — 1,559,000 total viewers, 281,000 A25-54
NBC — 2,226,000 total viewers, 416,000 A25-54
11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
FNC — 3,271,000 total viewers; 710,000 A25-54
CNN — 588,000 total viewers; 187,000 A25-54
MSNBC — 573,000 total viewers; 76,000 A25-54
![Image of CNN Election Center on Tuesday night. [Left to right: CNN Anchors Jake Tapper, Dana Bash and Kaitlan Collins]](https://static-www.adweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/2000557_0065-e1793995551946.jpg?w=652)
